Everything I Ever Really Needed To Know I Learned From The Yakuza or The Cops

Entry 01.  "There Are No Small Promises."

When I was a young reporter, circa 1995, I made an appointment with a Sumiyoshikai (住吉会)boss, Kaneko Naoya, at his office in Minami-Ginza at 7pm.  I showed up at 7:20. And Kaneko was pissed. Unreasonably so, or so I thought.

"I'm sorry I'm late," I said apologizing.

"Why were you late?"

"I had some work to do."

"Why didn't you call?"

"I guess I should have."

"No, 'I guess I should have' isn't good enough. You should have at least called.  And you should...